If you have ever read The Lord of the Rings it should not surprise you to learn that the Epic quest series in LotRO is broken down by Volume, Book and Chapter. Your involvement in the story roughly parallels the progression of the Fellowship on their adventures from The Shire to Mordor, and then beyond.

Prologue

The Prologue is not required. If you simply talk to Butterbur at The Inn of the Prancing Pony when you reach Bree he will start the main series.

Ered Luin

Each of the Racial paths leads to the United Path, which leads finally to Butterbur and Strider at The Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree.